12/01/2011

Advent Calendar...

I have fond memories of opening the Advent Calendar every morning during the Christmas season. How exciting it was to see what was on the other side of that little paper door!! And now, as an adult I am still making fond memories of opening those little advent calendar doors. Even before we had kids we had an advent calendar in our house. I bought it the Christmas after we got married and I saved it every year. Each year I would excitedly open the door each morning to see what was on the other side, and Brad, of course, would mock me! Yes, I am a silly little woman sometimes!

Now, of course, I can share my childishness with my children. As a child I had no idea the world of Advent calendars was so vast. The only ones I knew about were the paper ones that had little doors that opened up. It seems, however, that there are many many different kinds and ideas out there. This year I thought it would be fun to do something that would emphasize the number/counting part of it all a little bit more. So, while I was making some twine star ornaments a little plan starting to come together.

I am a big fan of making things that you can use year after year, because after all, I might keep coming up with more and more new ideas, but I can't always keep coming up with more and more time!

This little project doesn't take too much time and is fairly simple (although, I do realize that now Advent has already started, there's always next year...). First make 25 stars out of twine. Cut strands of twine approximately 2-3" long. Make cornstarch glue, 1/4 cup cornstarch to 1/2 cup water. (I usually double this because I am often doing a lot) Mix together the cornstarch and water on the stove over low heat, stir constantly until a smooth glue comes together. If the glue is too thick or becomes too thick, simply add some additional warm water and stir. Once the glue has been made I just toss lots of my twine pieces in to the pot and stir it in with a fork. Next, you need cookie sheets with parchment paper on them and cookie cutters to use as forms. Take a piece of twine out of the glue removing the excess glue as you go and push it down into the cookie cutter and mold in to a star. Once you are finished you can let the stars air dry or put them in a warm (200deg) oven for a short while for them to dry out. After they are dry attach small loops of ribbon. For the numbers I used those simple little stickers from the office section of Target and just wrote the numbers on them. The stickers look a bit like Christmas balls...and I happened to already have them in the house (just like everything else...). The tree is a large triangle cut out of felt and I sewed on 25 buttons, again christmas ball like.

I like it. Violet likes it, it's fun to pick out the number and to unhook the clothespin and decorate the tree!

Of course, thanks to Great Auntie Sian, we do have the traditional paper advent calendar!

Even with this new addition we will always have one of the paper ones too because the surprise behind the door never gets old!

Oh, and I had a few extra stars, so I strung them up to make a star garland, can you tell I have a bit of a thing for stars :)

It should be noted, that while fun, it does take some time to make these stars...really making 25 of anything takes some time, right? Also, this could be a fun thing for little hands to help with, although, Henry's are still a bit too small and Violet is not a big fan of sticky things all over her hands! Also, please be sure the glue is cool enough first before you put your hands in!

Happy first day of December and Advent!

**Oh dear, and Violet just reminded about our chocolate advent calendar, also a gift. What a treat! Now we have three advent calendars! Let the joy begin! :)

Comments

Advent Calendar...

I have fond memories of opening the Advent Calendar every morning during the Christmas season. How exciting it was to see what was on the other side of that little paper door!! And now, as an adult I am still making fond memories of opening those little advent calendar doors. Even before we had kids we had an advent calendar in our house. I bought it the Christmas after we got married and I saved it every year. Each year I would excitedly open the door each morning to see what was on the other side, and Brad, of course, would mock me! Yes, I am a silly little woman sometimes!

Now, of course, I can share my childishness with my children. As a child I had no idea the world of Advent calendars was so vast. The only ones I knew about were the paper ones that had little doors that opened up. It seems, however, that there are many many different kinds and ideas out there. This year I thought it would be fun to do something that would emphasize the number/counting part of it all a little bit more. So, while I was making some twine star ornaments a little plan starting to come together.

I am a big fan of making things that you can use year after year, because after all, I might keep coming up with more and more new ideas, but I can't always keep coming up with more and more time!

This little project doesn't take too much time and is fairly simple (although, I do realize that now Advent has already started, there's always next year...). First make 25 stars out of twine. Cut strands of twine approximately 2-3" long. Make cornstarch glue, 1/4 cup cornstarch to 1/2 cup water. (I usually double this because I am often doing a lot) Mix together the cornstarch and water on the stove over low heat, stir constantly until a smooth glue comes together. If the glue is too thick or becomes too thick, simply add some additional warm water and stir. Once the glue has been made I just toss lots of my twine pieces in to the pot and stir it in with a fork. Next, you need cookie sheets with parchment paper on them and cookie cutters to use as forms. Take a piece of twine out of the glue removing the excess glue as you go and push it down into the cookie cutter and mold in to a star. Once you are finished you can let the stars air dry or put them in a warm (200deg) oven for a short while for them to dry out. After they are dry attach small loops of ribbon. For the numbers I used those simple little stickers from the office section of Target and just wrote the numbers on them. The stickers look a bit like Christmas balls...and I happened to already have them in the house (just like everything else...). The tree is a large triangle cut out of felt and I sewed on 25 buttons, again christmas ball like.

I like it. Violet likes it, it's fun to pick out the number and to unhook the clothespin and decorate the tree!

Of course, thanks to Great Auntie Sian, we do have the traditional paper advent calendar!

Even with this new addition we will always have one of the paper ones too because the surprise behind the door never gets old!

Oh, and I had a few extra stars, so I strung them up to make a star garland, can you tell I have a bit of a thing for stars :)

It should be noted, that while fun, it does take some time to make these stars...really making 25 of anything takes some time, right? Also, this could be a fun thing for little hands to help with, although, Henry's are still a bit too small and Violet is not a big fan of sticky things all over her hands! Also, please be sure the glue is cool enough first before you put your hands in!

Happy first day of December and Advent!

**Oh dear, and Violet just reminded about our chocolate advent calendar, also a gift. What a treat! Now we have three advent calendars! Let the joy begin! :)

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I'm Jane, thanks for stopping by! I hope you take your time and take a look around...If you do you'll our adventures in sewing, creating, crafting, gardening and exploring...it's what gets us through the day and fullfills us!
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